TikTok Is Lying To You: How To Remove Limescale the Right Way

If you notice limescale—white or gray crusty deposits around your showerheads, toilets, sinks, faucets, and other places where water evaporates—you may be desperate to get rid of it.

As you search the internet for possible solutions, the #CleanTok hashtag on TikTok might convince you that mixing baking soda with vinegar will get the job done.

The reality is that this viral hack has mixed results—and more abrasive solutions can actually ruin the fixtures in your home for good. 

Why limescale occurs in the first place

So, what exactly causes that stubborn buildup?

“Limescale appears when mineral-rich water, or hard water, evaporates and leaves behind deposits of calcium and magnesium,” says Adrienne Gibbons, cleaning expert at CLR Brands in Skokie, IL.

This crusty gunk clogs faucets and showerheads, blocks the flow of water, and leaves plumbing fixtures looking dirty. Minerals could also become permanently etched into glass, making it look cloudy or scratched. 

In addition, limescale may negatively impact how appliances like dishwashers and washing machines function. 

“And buildup can reduce water flow in plumbing, leading to permanent damage,” Gibbons adds.

Why harsh cleaning hacks can do more harm than good

When you mix baking soda with vinegar, you might think you’ve found the ideal limescale-removing solution. After all, the mixture looks powerful and might even remind you of the science fair volcanos from your childhood.

But what looks cool online has very little power behind it when put to the test.

“The bubbles and fizzles are cool. But unfortunately, they’re the result of the baking soda neutralizing the acid in the vinegar,” says Ryan Knoll, founder of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning company in Phoenix and Tucson. 

When this happens, the solution becomes useless. That’s because the baking soda will cancel out the vinegar’s acidity, which is required to break down limescale.

Also, while abrasive powders, pumice stones, and disposable or harsh scrubbers may remove deposits, they will damage glass and/or strip protective coatings on chrome, brushed nickel, and other surfaces. 

“Damaged surfaces will stain and accumulate mineral deposits faster than before,” explains Ahmed Mezil, founder and CEO of Hellamaid, a cleaning company in Toronto.

Safe yet effective ways to get rid of limescale (and prevent it)

Instead of harsh mixtures, opt for gentler alternatives that will effectively remove the limescale without scratches or damages. These examples are far more effectual than what you may have seen on TikTok:

Faucets

“Allow equal parts distilled vinegar and water to soak a cloth or paper towel, and wrap it around the faucet for 15 to 30 minutes,” says Mezil.

For tough buildup, don’t scrape. Simply repeat the process instead.

Showerheads

Apply diluted vinegar to a plastic bag and submerge the showerhead to ensure all openings are in the liquid. 

“Allow the bag to stay on the head for 30 to 60 minutes, brush away any buildup and debris gently with a toothbrush, then run water through the showerhead,” Mezil explains.

Glass shower doors or enclosures

“Apply diluted vinegar or citric acid, then rinse the shower doors after contact,” says Mezil.

Be sure to agitate the glass gently with a nonscratch sponge and to never allow any product to dry on it.

Gibbons recommends the CLR Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover as an effective agent as it’s recognized under the EPA’s Safer Choice program, which helps consumers find cleaning products that are healthier and safer for the environment. 

“The active ingredients of this patented formula are lactic acid and gluconic acid, which are safe, naturally occurring acids that lift calcium, lime, and rust deposits,” Gibbons explains.

These acids work by “chelating” or binding to ions in calcium, magnesium, or rust, and neutralizing their ability to cling to surfaces. They become detached from the surface and can then be washed away with water.

There are also a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of limescale buildup.

“To minimize mineral deposits, use a shower squeegee to get rid of water deposit on glass doors after you shower. Clean fixtures and faucets before they dry. And address leaking faucets as soon as you can,” Mezil says.